Chapter 115
KATYA’S POV
The door clicked shut behind , and only then did I let out the breath I’d been holding. My palms were still clammy from standing in that office with those two guests, especially the girl with the perfect hair and perfect everything.
She looked like she belonged in Roo’s world. anwhile, I was just... . The assistant who kept cleaning supplies in the corner of his office like so kind of maid squirrel.
I exhaled again, trying to shake off the weird tightness in my chest. Send Mr. Antonio, he’d said.
Right. Assigned task. Easy.
My foot slapped softly against the hallway floor as I walked, counting each step like it would calm down.
It didn’t. I could still see that girl in my head — the way she smiled confidently, like she already knew she was wanted.
Like she walked through life assuming she fit wherever she went. Where wasn’t I like that? She’s a girl sad as but why did she look so much better than .
For a stupid half-second, I wondered if Roo liked girls like that.
Ugh. Stop.
I reached the elevator and pressed the button. The doors slid open imdiately, like they’d been waiting for .
Unlike certain people who took their sweet ti calling lifts when I really needed them. Inside, I leaned back against the cool tal wall and closed my eyes.
It was ridiculous how fast my heart had been beating when the devil’s attention had flicked to .
The elevator chid, and I stepped out into the hallway leading to Mr Antonio office on the second floor, sa as nonna’s.
Mr. Antonio was exactly where he always was sitting against us chair, one hand still in a sling while the other is with a mug.
He straightened when he saw , forcing a scowl to his face. I don’t know what I did to mr Antonio but he had been giving the cold shoulder since I regained my Sense and Roo was in coma.
" Katya," he greeted with a bored tone. The Mr Antonio who had saved from miss red was no where to be found but I forced a smile to my face.
"Good morning, Mr Salvatore needs you at his office." I simply, wasting no ti and walking out of his office to find nonna as it seems I don’t have anything else doing till he finishes his eting.
Mr. Antonio didn’t respond—not even a grunt—as I turned to leave. What the hell did I do to deserve his harshness or was his nice attitude a facade.
A one ti thing? The door clicked shut behind , and I stood there for a second in the hallway, letting the silence settle.
I hated that his coldness stung. I wasn’t asking him to be my best friend. Just... not look at like I was a mosquito he couldn’t swat because his hand was in a sling.
Whatever. He was going upstairs now. My job was done.
I shook out my hands, feeling that restless itch under my skin again, the sa one I always got after seeing Roo, or thinking about Roo, or breathing in the sa air as Roo.
Ugh. Pathetic.
I turned down the hallway toward Nonna’s room. Her wing was the other side so I had to walk a little bit down.
I knocked softly as I reached her door before pushing it open. Nonna was just waking up.
Her eyes blinked open slowly, warm and gentle even through the leftover sleepiness. The sunlight from the window cut across her blanket like a soft ribbon, making her look peaceful and safe.
Sothing in loosened instantly. "Good morning my beautiful star," she murmured, voice still hoarse with sleep.
A small, tired laugh escaped , how could she be this joyous? "Nonna, I’m not a star."
"You are to ," she said, trying to sit up.
I hurried forward. "Wait, wait—don’t move too fast." I adjusted her pillow the way she liked, fluffing the sides and tucking the corner under her shoulder.
She relaxed with a satisfied sigh, letting the mont settle. "Tesoro... what are you doing here so early?" Nonna’s gaze drifted over my face, soft but searching.
"You’ve barely been visiting since you beca Roo’s assistant. Did sothing happen?" She Slowly asked as her fingers brushed over the blanket.
Of course she noticed. She always did. Nonna could sense a mood shift from three hallways away but I shook my head quickly. "No, nothing happened."
Her brows lifted like she didn’t believe ."Hm." That was the problem with Nonna—she didn’t accuse, she didn’t push... she just hm’d in a way that made my soul feel exposed.
I forced a small smile and walked to her wardrobe, pretending to look for a shawl. "Mr. Salvatore is in a eting. I’m free till he’s done. That’s all."
"And you ca to ?" she asked, both surprised and pleased. Even with her calm voice, I could hear the faint thread of worry. "You’re sure nothing is wrong, tesoro?"
"Nonna," I said gently, turning back to her, "I promise. Everything is fine."
Not technically a lie. Nothing was wrong-wrong. Just... brain chaos, insecurity, judgntal bald n, and a girl who looked like she woke up in an Italian perfu comrcial.
Nonna humd again, still not convinced, but she accepted my answer the way she always did. Quietly and respectfully.
She extended her hand, and I stepped forward to take it. "Sit with ," she said. "I don’t see you enough these days."
A soft sting hit my chest. "I’m sorry. I just.....Mr. Salvatore keeps busy."
"Ah," she said knowingly, but without judgnt. "He would." I sat beside her wheelchair, resting my arm on the cushion near her hand.
The quiet was comforting. Calming, even. Nonna’s fingers brushed over mine. "You look tired, tesoro."
"I’m okay," I said, even though my head was still replaying the image of that perfectly confident girl and the way Mr. Antonio looked at like I was a complication.
Nonna tilted her head. "Did he..." she didn’t say Roo’s na, but I knew exactly who she ant "do sothing, again?"
I shook my head too fast. I don’t want her worrying about how her grandson is so horrible.
Co on, the old lady just literally woke up. "No. Nothing worth ntioning."
"Hm," she said again, that thoughtful, dangerous sound of hers. "You always say that."
"Because it’s true," I insisted. "If sothing serious happens, you’ll know. I promise."
Nonna didn’t argue. She just sighed softly and patted my hand with her warm, wrinkled fingers. "Very well. Then stay with for a while."
"I will," I whispered.
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